Minimoog Voyager
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| Minimoog Voyager by Moog Music | |||
| Synthesis type: | analog subtractive | ||
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| Polyphony: | 1 | ||
| Oscillators: | 3 VCOs, white/pink noise | ||
| Multitimbral: | 1 | ||
| VCF: | dual lowpass or highpass/lowpass with cutoff, resonance, spacing ADSR envelope generator, keyboard tracking |
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| VCA: | ADSR envelope generator | ||
| LFO: | independent LFO | ||
| Keyboard: | 44-note with velocity and aftertouch sensitivity |
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| Left hand control: | pitch bend and mod wheels | ||
| Velocity sensitive: | {{{velocity}}} | ||
| Aftertouch: | {{{aftertouch}}} | ||
| External control: | MIDI, 14 CV/Gate inputs | ||
| Memory: | 128 presets expandable to 896 |
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| Onboard effects: | 2 modulation busses | ||
| Produced: | 2002 - present | ||
| Original price: | US$2995 - US$3495 | ||
The Minimoog Voyager or Voyager is a monophonic analog synthesizer, designed by Robert Moog and released in 2002 by Moog Music. The Voyager was modeled after the classic Minimoog synthesizer that was popular in the 1970s.
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[edit] Design
Like the original Minimoog, the Voyager has six sound sources. Five of these (three voltage-controlled oscillators with switchable waveforms, a noise generator, and an external line input) pass to a mixer with independent level controls. The mixed output of the sources is then passed through the voltage-controlled filter and a voltage-controlled amplifier, each of which has its own ADSR envelope generator. The voltage-controlled filter can itself be made to oscillate, thus comprising the Minimoog's sixth sound source.
In addition to similar features of the original Minimoog, the Voyager was designed to have a memory bank capable of storing 128 presets, a touch pad modulation control, dedicated LFO, two modulation busses (one controllable via the modulation wheel and the other with a foot pedal), two ADSR envelopes for filter and amplifier control, a pressure-sensitive keyboard, 14 voltage-control inputs, and MIDI input/output.
Unlike the original Minimoog, the Voyager's modulation busses can be set to affect almost any parameter of the sound, not just the filters. Although the synthesizer features MIDI control and advanced patch storage, all audio paths in the Voyager are analog with the sound originating from any of three oscillators designed for high tuning stability, as the original Minimoog oscillators tended to slightly shift out of tune while playing.
With the Voyager, certain parameters that were fixed on the original Minimoog can be programmed to suit the player's preference. This includes selection between low-note, high-note or last-note priority. Also, the envelope generators can be set to retrigger with each pressed note or they can be set not to retrigger until all notes are lifted and the next note is played.
[edit] History
In November of 2001, Moog Music (then Big Briar) announced that they planned to release an updated version of the Minimoog. The new synthesizer promised to have modern features, yet continue to be authentic to the original sound quality. The company offered a new synthesizer to the customer who could come up with a name for the project. Early in 2002, they announced that the synthesizer would be named the "Minimoog Voyager".
Late in the summer of 2002, Moog Music began shipping the new Voyagers. Occasionally a new system software release is made available, which can be downloaded from Moog Music's website and sent to the Voyager via MIDI. Recent software versions allow complex internal patching of control voltages, a very powerful and convenient feature for the user. Also available is the VX-351 Voyager Expander, an external box that is wired to the Voyager featuring 25 control-voltage outputs for physical CV patching.
[edit] Models
The first 600 units could be preordered at the price of US$3495 and featured Bob Moog's personal autograph. The standard edition continues to sell for US$2995. Apart from the signature and price, the models are identical. Wood finish on the models is offered in walnut, cherry or maple.
For 2004, Moog Music released a limited 50th Anniversary Edition Voyager (AE). The wood cabinet was painted black and the control panel was backlit using electroluminescent technology. 2005 marked the end of production of these units, however Moog Music continues to sell a backlit model called the Electric Blue that features an iridescent blue cabinet finish. Both of these models have the same sound features of the non-backlit models but sell for US$3295.
In 2005, Moog Music released the Voyager Rack Mount Edition (RME), a synthesizer based on the Voyager. The RME was designed to occupy 5 spaces in a 19-inch rack. The model has all of the features of other Voyagers but does not include a touch panel control and is sold without a keyboard. The RME is designed to be controlled via MIDI. Up to 16 RME Voyagers can be combined to achieve polyphony.
[edit] Links to Artists/Albums/Songs featuring Voyager
The Truth In Me solo album by Roger O'Donnell... realized exclusively with Minimoog Voyager.
End Of The World... The Cure song featuring Minimoog Voyager solo in bridge section.
All Moog Space Exploration with Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater. Periodic live streaming web jams featuring Vintage Mini-Moog, a modern Minimoog Voyager, Arturia Moog Modular V software, and a Moog Etherwave Theremin.
Volts Per Octave, Husband & Wife Synth Duo utilize the Minimoog Voyager as well as Moogerfooger effects pedals.
Remix/Post Trance artist Gabriel and Dresden use the Minimoog Voyager.
Philip Stranger, Creativist musician uses Minimoog Voyager in many all-Moog compositions (Mount Analog) as well as an accompaniment in multi-instrument pieces (Hypnagogia & The Lost Chapter).
